Well, a few people have asked that I post a collection update and - given that it’s been about a year and a half that I’ve done so - I thought it probably wasn’t a bad idea. In fact, there have been quite a few changes over that period (not least three new watches in the past week or so).
Anyway, here we go, in order of the length of time I’ve owned them…
2011 Glashutte Original Senator Perpetual Calendar
I've had this for five years now, slightly longer than my 5513. I love the Germanic take on the perpetual calendar, and unsurprisingly it’s a beautifully clean dial despite the complications. I wear this relatively infrequently, but it always gives me a jolt when I look at it on my wrist.
1981 Rolex 5513
This is a Mark IV Maxi (wearing a Mk III fat font insert) and quite simply it's the nicest that I've seen, with an immaculate dial and lovely thick case too. I’ve owned this nearly as long as the GO, and Bea tells me it’s going to be hers when I peg it.
2013 Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5167/A
Another watch I’ve had for a few years now, and despite the perception that it’s less robust than some it doesn’t have a mark on it. I honestly think that the Aquanaut is the best modern sports watch, bar none. It has to be worn to be fully appreciated, and it's so adaptable I've even worn it for black tie events. Perfect in every way, and consistently running at +1spd.
2015 Breitling Aerospace Night Mission
I've had a lot of Aerospaces, but the Night Mission is the one that does it for me (and this is my second – I had the cobra dial LE as well, although I find the black dial a lot more wearable). I find that I need an ana-digi in the watch box, and this has filled my old B-1's shoes perfectly. In fact, I think the Aerospace is as good as it gets in ana-digi terms.
2006 Zenith Chronomaster Moonphase
This is one of the classic Zeniths, as well as housing an all-time classic movement. With a triple date and moonphase it’s not a simple watch, but it’s beautifully executed and massively underestimated IMO. I recently snagged a new Zenith darkish alligator strap on a Zenith deployant, which looks lovely and has dressed it up a bit (although I don't have a decent photo of it yet).
2016 Grand Seiko 130th Anniversary SBGW033
I waited, and waited, and waited to get my hands on the 130th Anniversary Grand Seiko, because there’s a perfect simplicity to it that I fell in love with the moment it was announced. They’re not easy to come by, and it’s pretty obvious why that is.
2001 Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph
I have to admit that, until I met a mate from here for a beer and some watch chat, I’d never really intended to buy a Vacheron. However, the moment I tried it on (and this is the slightly smaller 39mm model) I was completely blown away by the quality and the overall look and feel of it. In my own mind I bought it to tide me over until I found a ceramic Daytona at a sensible price. That’s not going to happen any time soon but I don’t think I could move this on now, anyway.
2017 Panerai PAM512
I’m a huge Panerai fan, but having said that I’m also very picky. I’ve had some beauties (including a 233 and 337) and this 512 is therefore my second 42mm model; it’s also my favourite, although the 337 ran it close. I won’t refer to the 512 as a Radiomir, as it’s not (and neither is it a Luminor). It’s actually a model line of its own, resembling – if anything – the transitional Radiomirs from around 80 years ago.
1960 Jaeger le Coultre K880
I saw this watch on one of the better vintage dealer websites, and it popped up at a time when I’d been looking to an Omega alternative for a nice birth year watch. It’s an absolute beuty, actually, the lauded K880 movement housed within a 9ct gold De Trevars case. I don’t wear it as often as some of my others, but that’s as it should be, I think.
1966 Breitling Navitimer 806
This is a 2nd Generation 806 that dates to 1966, incorporating the earlier/smaller subdials that I think are by far the nicer of the two types. It’s actually my third 806, and I do think that they’re marvellous watches. The 2nd Generation saw a few important changes, actually – the three subdials changed from black to white, the hands were remodelled and the Breitling name appeared in printing on the dial
2005 Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600
I guess there’s not a great deal to say about the classic SD, but there’s no doubt that it has a strong claim to being the best of the best. This one is in superb condition, and it’s taken on the role of my default watch; when I don’t quite know what to choose this one is always there, just about perfect for anything.
2017 Blancpain Tribute to Fifty Fathoms Milspec
I bloody love the Fifty fathoms, but having owned three previously (the standard Automatic, the Dark Knight and the No radiations LE) I had to conclude that at 45mm they were a tad too large for me. However, the 40mm milspec tribute is nigh-on perfect. Having not thought I’d be able to land one I ended up with the strap version, and then the bracelet version. Whilst I currently have it on a strap, the bracelet is sublime.
1960 IWC Ingenieur 666 AD
This was a funny one. I’d been lusting after a 666 since John/11erv waved his in my face, but repeated nagging over a year and a half failed to bear fruit. Then unexpectedly, this one became available at a time when I didn’t really have funds set aside for another watch. I remember thinking “as long as it’s not another birth year I can resist it…”
2018 Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda Metrographe
Now, I happen t know these watches reasonably well, in that Tim/java has a couple on gold that I’d lovingly fondled on numerous occasions. Bea and I always make a point of looking at them in Regent Sreet WoS when we pop in too, and (finally) I very, very nearly bought one online from the US a while back. They’re incredible watches, with glorious movements and a style unlike anything else on the market.
1999 Rolex GMT 16710
Now, I’d been on the hunt for a GMT for months when this came along, although admittedly I was a replacement for the divine 16750 I stupidly sold some time ago. However, I was offered this one in a trade and aside from the fact that it’s got the rare “Swiss-only” dial (which were only made for a year or so) it happens to be completely unpolished and a full set that even includes the original sales receipt. What’s not to love?
2018 Royal Oak Offshore Diver 15710ST
The last one really blindsided me, actually, although I’ve had a couple of Royal oaks before and think they’re fantastic watches. I’d just sold an old Daytona to get some funds in liquid form in case I happen across a ceramic model whilst I’m in NY (I fly there tomorrow). However, this beauty reared its head about ten minutes drive from me, and then turned up in my kitchen accompanied by one of our forum favourites. It would have been rude not to.
Right, that’s it then. I’m going to go and pack now. I hope you didn’t find that boring, and I apologise if you did!
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Originally Posted by learningtofly
Well, a few people have asked that I post a collection update and - given that it’s been about a year and a half that I’ve done so - I thought it probably wasn’t a bad idea. In fact, there have been quite a few changes over that period (not least three new watches in the past week or so).
